Crew unveils 2014 Promotional Schedule

COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew announced today that single-match tickets for all Crew regular season home games in 2014 are set to go on sale to the general public on Friday, January 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Prices range from $23 to $50 for advanced purchases, and through a special limited-time offer, all tickets purchased by midnight on Friday, January 24 are not subject to any online fees. Tickets for groups of 20 or more – starting at $16 per seat – are also currently on sale, with options for unique on-field experiences.

Additionally, the Crew released its 2014 promotional schedule, with the Black & Gold’s Opening Match taking place on Saturday, March 22 against Conference rival Philadelphia. The Crew begins its nineteenth MLS campaign on the road on March 8 against long-time foe D.C. United, and then has a bye week before Crew Stadium opens its doors for its 16th regular-season of Major League Soccer action.

The Crew is currently unveiling 16 promotional matches, with six hallmark events throughout the season at Crew Stadium. Additional promotions are scheduled to be announced in the weeks ahead. With 12 of the club’s 2014 home contests against Eastern Conference opponents, the Crew is hosting five of these signature events surrounding pivotal inter-conference matchups. The team’s annual Red, White & CrewFireworks Extravaganza, presented by Scioto Downs Racino, is set to feature a unique show inside Crew Stadium on Saturday, June 28 when the Black & Gold welcome FC Dallas to Columbus. Other marquee fixtures include two home Trillium Cup matches, presented by Scotts, against Toronto FC, on April 5 and August 9, Put Out the Fire – and the team’s Military Appreciation Night, presented by Heartland Bank – on May 24 against Chicago and FANdemonium! to conclude the 2014 regular season against Philadelphia on Sunday, October 26. When Western Conference foe LA Galaxy comes to Central Ohio on Saturday, August 16, the Crew hosts Blackout the Galaxy as fans are encouraged to wear black that evening when Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter leads the Crew against his former team.

As the Crew begins its home schedule, fans can take advantage of a new limited-time ticket offer -- 6 for $60 , which is available for any of the first three home matches on March 22, April 5 and April 19 and allows fans to purchase six tickets for $60 in the Upper East Side Corners. As the Black & Gold faithful enter Crew Stadium, they’ll also have the option of purchasing seats in the new Family Section for every match in 2014. Located in the lower southwest corner of the stadium, this family – and vuvuzela – friendly area includes frequent visits from Crew Cat and the OhioHealth Crew Action Team and a chance to be seen on the video board. Tickets start at $29 in the Family Section.

The Crew is also inducting a second member into the club’s Circle of Honor at Crew Stadium in 2014. Details of the criteria, finalists and voting will be announced soon. A commemorative bobblehead of the Circle of Honor inductee, presented by OhioHealth, will be given out to the first 10,000 fans in attendance at the Saturday, September 27 match against the Montreal Impact at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Back for another season, the Crew returns its popular Dollar Nights – highlighted by Bob Evans Buck-a-Brats and $1 Budweiser drafts – with three dates throughout the regular season. The 2013 Supporters’ Shield-winning New York Red Bulls’ visit on April 26 marks the first chance to enjoy this Columbus tradition, with Montreal’s visit on July 19 and New England’s lone trip to Columbus on September 20 rounding out the Dollar Night schedule.

Crew fans can still take advantage of a current discounted pricing window on full and 10-match season ticket plans, which start at just $15 per match, and feature significant savings over single-game pricing, along with an exclusive benefits package. Fans can also receive comprehensive team coverage and exclusive ticket and merchandise offers by becoming a member of the Crew Soccer Nation Fan Club. Tickets are available by calling 614-447-CREW, and online via TheCrew.com and Ticketmaster.com.

*OPENING MATCH – The Crew takes on Eastern Conference foe Philadelphia Union to open the 2014 season at home, with schedule magnets distributed to the first 10,000 fans.

**PUT OUT THE FIRE & MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT PRESENTED BY HEARTLAND BANK – For Memorial Day Weekend the Crew will recognize Military Members and First Responders for serving our country. Don’t miss out on this rivalry match against longtime nemesis Chicago Fire. Commemorative Scarves will be given out to the first 10,000 fans in attendance.

***RED, WHITE & CREW FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGENZA PRESENTED BY SCIOTO DOWNS RACINO – Watch the Crew take on FC Dallas followed by pre-Fourth of July Fireworks – a Columbus soccer staple. This year’s extravaganza will feature an updated show inside Crew Stadium.

****TRILLIUM CUP PRESENTED BY SCOTTS – THE BLACK & GOLD RENEWS ITS BORDER WAR WITH CANADIAN COUNTERPART TORONTO FC IN THE FINAL CONTEST OF THE THREE-MATCH TRILLIUM CUP RIVALRY.

^BLACKOUT THE GALAXY – After a year hiatus, Blackout the Galaxy returns to Crew Stadium in 2014. Wear black to the match to support the Black & Gold as they take on Western Conference foe LA Galaxy.

^^CIRCLE OF HONOR CELEBRATION PRESENTED BY OHIOHEALTH – The Crew is inducting a second member into the club’s Circle of Honor at Crew Stadium in 2014. Details of the criteria, finalists and voting will be announced at a later date. A commemorative bobblehead of the Circle of Honor inductee will be given out to the first 10,000 fans in attendance at the Saturday, September 27 match against the Montreal Impact at 7:30 p.m. ET.

^^^FANdemonium! – The Crew and its partners thank the fans for their support during the 2014 MLS regular season finale.